Fort BelknapFort BelknapAssiniboine and Assiniboine and

Gros Ventre (White Clay People)Gros Ventre (White Clay People)

LocationLocation

North central Montana.North central Montana.

Glacial plains, rolling grasslands, rivers, the Glacial plains, rolling grasslands, rivers, the Bearpaws, and Little Rocky Mountains.Bearpaws, and Little Rocky Mountains.

Chippewa and Cree also live on the Chippewa and Cree also live on the reservation.reservation.

HistoryHistory

Both Gros Ventre and Assiniboine were Both Gros Ventre and Assiniboine were originally plains tribes in Montana.originally plains tribes in Montana.

Assiniboine were a part of the Sioux.Assiniboine were a part of the Sioux.

Gros Ventre was a name given by the French Gros Ventre was a name given by the French meaning, “big belly.” meaning, “big belly.” The people call themselves The White Clay The people call themselves The White Clay

People.People.

1855 Treaty of Laramie set aside hunting 1855 Treaty of Laramie set aside hunting grounds on the Blackfeet Reservation; grounds on the Blackfeet Reservation;

1888 Fort Belknap became a separate 1888 Fort Belknap became a separate reservation.reservation.

1896 the Little Rocky Mts. were ceded to the 1896 the Little Rocky Mts. were ceded to the U.S. government due to the discovery of gold.U.S. government due to the discovery of gold.

Fort Belknap Council is attempting to get Fort Belknap Council is attempting to get those lands back to restore boundaries.those lands back to restore boundaries.

1935 constitution was created for the people.1935 constitution was created for the people.

Kids attend public schools or off-reservation Kids attend public schools or off-reservation boarding schools; community college.boarding schools; community college.

Employment is scarce for the people; highest Employment is scarce for the people; highest unemployment of MT reservations.unemployment of MT reservations.

Late July is the Fort Belknap Indian Days with Late July is the Fort Belknap Indian Days with powwows, dancing, singing, feasts and give-powwows, dancing, singing, feasts and give-away.away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s9z3IOpH1ghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s9z3IOpH1g PowwowPowwow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs5EHu-YUvIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs5EHu-YUvI Dances with wolves buffalo sceneDances with wolves buffalo scene

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VqoxOcEqpk&fhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VqoxOcEqpk&feature=relatedeature=related Cherokee songCherokee song